Project Employ Resource Fair

For Immediate Release: Monday, April 30, 2012

Sponsored by: Health and Human Services Department, Division

Resource Fair Helps Students with Developmental Disabilities

Project Employ, an Arc Oregon training and technical assistance program for young people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, will host a Business Luncheon and Resource Fair on Tuesday, May 15, at Embassy Suites Ballroom, 9000 SW Washington Square Road, Tigard.

Washington County employers, human resource directors, employment specialists, hiring managers, community leaders and public officials are invited to the complimentary luncheon, which begins at 11:30 AM. State legislators, Bruce Starr and Sara Gelser will be among the speakers, as will Agnes Balassa, the Workforce Advisor to Governor Kitzhaber.

"One goal of this luncheon is to celebrate opportunities for employers when they hire individuals with developmental disabilities," says Cheryl Cisneros, Project Manager for The Arc Oregon. "In addition to a nice lunch and some great live music, we will be showcasing success stories, sharing information about the business benefits of building a diverse workforce and featuring a few Project Employ students/job seekers who have been preparing for this networking event all year."

To register for the luncheon, contact Cheryl Cisneros at 503-581-2726.

The resource fair, from 1:30-7:00 PM, is free and targeted towards transition-age students and recent graduates with developmental disabilities and their families, as well as employers, human resource directors, transition educators, DHS agency representatives.

The event is designed to assist students ages 16-21 and their families in pursuing employment and higher education. It will feature a variety of workshops, speakers and exhibitors providing information about transition and employment services. Staff from the Washington County Developmental Disabilities Program will be on hand to provide information about resources and eligibility for services.